The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-03-25
TESTING HIS NEW YACHT.
Mr.. vanderbut's cruise In the AIva.
New York Tlmes.l

Now 1Oih AhhS9sl
The steamer Alya, w. X. Vanderbilt's new
yacht, returned from her trial voyage to tho
West Indies Wednesday. As she lies at the
foot of Sixtieth street. North River, with
her storm-stained mahogany panels, her rig
ging somewhat battered, the carpets up In
Mrs. Vanderbilt's suite Of rooms, the white
and gold paint Of the saloons stained in
places by streaks Of salt water, and wrecked
pieces Of furniture in several places, II Is
evident that the big yacht-it is 1,150 tons
burden-had lively experience In the re-
cent gale and was as thoroughly tested, from
the sea-going standpoint. as her owner
could have wished.
ing Of February Z, and laid her course for
Havana. On board were Mr.. and Mrs. Van
derbilt, their daughter Consuelo and the
boys William K, Jr, and Harold, with their
goYerness and Mrs. VanderDllts maid. The
guests were W. A. Hoyt. II. w. Gray, G. III.
Redman, DIR. E. III. Keyes, and Y. l.. Beach.
The weather was exceptionally pleasant on
the trip down, and the yacht was pushed to
her fullest capacity, the highest rate OF speed
with sails and steam being little over 16
miles per hour. Between 8 and 6 O'Clock Of
Saturday, February 10, they entered the har-
Dor Of Havana and lay at anchor four days,
the party spending the time pleasantly In
excursions to the city and its enyirons.
and went thence to Port Royal, Jamaica.
They were boarded by the Health Officer at
the entrance to the bay, however, and was
informed that the smallpox was raging, which
news caused them to turn around without
anchoring and make for Santiago de Cuba.
Here pleasant stay was had. number
of visitors were received, and the night be-
fore departure Z. II. Brooks, the American
consul, and Otto Reimer, prominent resi-
dent Of Santiago, were entertained at din
ner. Mr.. Vanderbilt accepted Mr.. Reimer's
invitation 10 enjoy days shooting at Guant-
namora, where Reimer has shooting box,
and to Guantnamora they went The morn
ing after their arrival the armOry was
drawn upon for shOtguns for the party,
Mr. Reimer furnishing the attendants and
dogs. A single doe was the only result Of
the battue, however, Mr.. Vanderbilt being
the lucky sportsman, and fresh venls0n be-
ing the central feature Of the following
day's menu. From GuantnamoIa they
cruised to Port au Prince. Hayti, and thence
to Nassau. in the Bahama group, the
weather being delightful. From Nassau they
crossed to Brunswick, Ca, bidding farewell
to Messrs. Redman and Beach at this point.
At Port Royal, 5. c., Mrs. Vanderbilt and
the children, accompanied by Mr.. Gray and
DIR. Keyes, also left the vessel, not caring to
round Hatteras in unprOmiSing weather.
They came hOmeward by rail.
The yacht left Port Royal Sunday after
noon. The weather was thick and sQually,
and no canvas was set, except the fore, main
and mizzen trysails, and the fore staysail.
The wind began to blow strongly from the
eastward about noon Of Monday, and in
creased TO heavy gale towards dark. About
o'clock the cringles, sheets and Iouthauls OF
the three trysails parted like a volley Of pis-
tOl shots, and the sails would have blown TO
rags but for their newness. They were furl-
ed in quiet order, however; the fore staysail
was taken in, and the yacht kept on under
steam. The night was a very rough one.
Hatteras was passed between and 8 O'Clock.
A a
chopped around to the northwest, kicked up
q heavy cross sea, and blew perfect hurri-
cane Every time sea struck the yacht the
spray made q clean breach over her, fore and
| aft, and mast high. She behaved admirably
| through 1t all. however, and experienced no
mishap. Mr.. Vanderbilt and MIR. Hoyt, in
| sou 'weSterS. Oilskins and rubber boots, were
| on deck during the heaviest weather, but
sought the secluslon that the cabin
grants as soon as the wind lessened.
| In spite of tine head winds, the yacht aver
aged II knots, making the run from Frying
/ Pan Shoals to Scotland Lightship in 60 hours.
| The saloon furniture was damaged some
| what in the gale, the heavy mahogany table
| in the dining room breaking loose and crash
| ing INTO the silver case on the port side. The
| rack was lbroKen from the table and soma
deep dents made, while the moldlng and
and glass Of the silver case were badly dam
/ aged. In the library heavy French walnut
| table. weighted with GOO pounds of lead
broke away, turned a somersault, and split
| squarely in two.
| Mr.. Vanderbilt expresses himself as per-
fectly satisfied with the vessel. The triple
/ compound condensing engines worked TO a
| charm, the three cylinders making the mo
/ tion steady and free from any erratic jerks.
Painting and polishing will be In order for q
/ week or two, and in addition 10 this the
| family rooms, which are all forward, are not
| completed. The eldest boys room Is not yet
! paneled, and the marble tops for the furnl-
ture have yet to be placed In several Of the
/ atafarOoms